Bears Recall Defenseman Patrick Wellar from Royals

HERSHEY, Pa. – The HERSHEY BEARS announced today that the club has recalled defenseman Patrick Wellar from the ECHL’s Reading Royals. The announcement was made by BEARS President/GM Doug Yingst.

Wellar, 29, appeared in four games with HERSHEY, going scoreless with 21 penalty minutes.

The 6-3, 230-pound native of Carrot River, SK rejoins the BEARS after helping the Reading blue line corps to the fifth-best goals-against per game average (2.76) in the ECHL. With the conference-leading Royals, Wellar has recorded two goals, 13 assists, 45 penalty minutes and a plus-seven rating in 36 games.

Wellar is currently in his fifth season with the organization. He began his stay in Chocolatetown in 2008-09, when he scored one goal and two assists, added 37 penalty minutes and recorded a plus-3 rating in 21 games. In his HERSHEY tenure, Wellar has amassed 40 points (six goals, 34 assists), 421 penalty minutes and a cumulative plus-19 rating. He was also a member of the 2010 Calder Cup championship squad, chipping in six assists in the BEARS’ run to their second title in as many seasons.

Wellar has appeared in 244 total AHL games with HERSHEY, Toronto, Peoria and Worcester, registering seven goals and 38 assists. He was originally selected by the Washington Capitals in the third round (77th overall) in the 2002 NHL Entry Draft.

The BEARS are on the road to face the Binghamton Senators tonight at 7:05 PM. The club returns home for their first matchup against the Manchester Monarchs on Saturday, February 2 at 7:00 PM. It is the first night of Chocolate-Covered February and all fans will receive candy upon exit courtesy of The Hershey Company. Tickets for this game and all HERSHEY BEARS home games are on sale at the GIANT Center box office, by calling (717) 508-BEAR, or online at TicketMaster.com.